Air Malta 'will not be sold' - ministry

The Finance Ministry said today that it considered Air Malta as being a strategic national asset and it would not be put up for sale.

The ministry was reacting to comments by Labour leader Joseph Muscat who warned that any talks with the EU on state support for the airline should not include a condition that the airline would be sold if reform failed, as had happened at Malta Shipyards.

The ministry said Air Malta had a crucial role in the economy, now and in the future. The government planned to strengthen the airline through recapitalisation to ensure it would continue to contribute to the country well into the future.